Letter: Freeberg ready to be city comptroller

For the past 27 years I have been your comptroller-treasurer and there are some observations I would like to share about the position. This is a hands-on working position that requires a wide range of knowledge about municipal finance. Municipal finance is more complicated than balancing a checkbook or getting a car loan, there are many legal requirements that have to be followed regarding municipal accounting under GASB rules, investment limitations, IRS tax law related to municipal borrowing and municipal budgeting. A mistake in any of these areas could cost the taxpayers a lot of money.

My position as a department head requires both management of the employees under me and providing a high level of customer service to both the public and the other city and county departments. I am supporting Carrie Freeberg for comptroller-treasurer. Carrie has been my deputy for the past 13 years, she has worked her way up through the ranks and has a lot of knowledge of the city financial operations and knows how the various city offices interact with each other and who to contact to get the job done correctly.

Carrie has actually worked in almost all of the jobs in our office and will be able to supervise the employees work product from day one. Carrie has worked directly me with preparing the annual municipal budget and shares my primary concern "how will this impact the taxpayer?" The taxpayers are both our bosses, our customers and are our first concern. We always return phone calls and meet with anyone that wishes to discuss city finance. Carrie has proven her leadership ability by handling the office during periods of my absence. This position requires a high level of independence combined with the ability to work well with all the other city departments and Common Council, Carrie has shown me her ability to accomplish this.

Carrie has proven to me her knowledge, experience, ability, integrity and dedication. Allow Carrie the chance to prove this to you! Join me in voting for Carrie Freeberg on April 2.